Needle assembly having single-handedly activatable needle barrier

摘要

A needle assembly having a single-handedly activatable needle barrier includes a needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough connected to a needle hub having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the needle cannula. A guide element is connected to the needle hub and includes an aperture therethrough. An elongate barrier arm having a proximal end and a distal end is provided. The distal end of the barrier arm includes a barrier element having a needle passageway therethrough. The barrier arm is positioned within the aperture of the guide element and the needle cannula is positioned at least partially within the needle passageway of the barrier element. The barrier arm is movable from at least a retracting position wherein the distal end of the needle cannula passes completely through the barrier element so that the distal end of the needle cannula is exposed, to a second extended position wherein the barrier element surrounds the distal end of the needle cannula to prevent incidental contact with the distal end of the needle cannula. Locking means is provided for preventing the movement of the barrier arm from the second extended position.